tripura-to-solarise-5-000-drinking-water-pumps

The Tripura government has launched an ambitious programme to convert 5,000 electricity-powered drinking water pumps into solar-powered systems, a move aimed at significantly reducing electricity expenditure while ensuring reliable water supply in remote and hilly regions.

 

The initiative, being implemented by the Tripura Renewable Energy Development Agency (TREDA), follows directions from Chief Minister Manik Saha after a review meeting highlighted the heavy power costs incurred by the Drinking Water and Sanitation (DWS) Department.

 

At present, the DWS Department spends nearly ₹125 crore annually on electricity to operate around 10,000 conventional water pumps across the state. TREDA Director General Debabrata Sukladas said converting at least half of these pumps to solar energy would substantially reduce recurring expenditure while promoting clean energy.

 

The project will be executed in phases. During the first phase, 2,300 small-bore drinking water pumps will be converted into solar-powered units at an estimated cost of ₹60 crore. The tendering process has already begun, and construction work is expected to start shortly. The first phase is scheduled for completion during the 2026–28 financial period.

 

According to TREDA, the initial phase alone is expected to help the DWS Department save around ₹5 crore annually in electricity bills.

 

Officials said the project would particularly benefit remote villages and hilly areas, where extending conventional electricity grids is often difficult and uneconomical. Solar-powered pumps are expected to provide a more dependable drinking water supply while reducing dependence on the power grid.

 

Tripura currently has a solar generation capacity of around 37 MW, and the government is working to expand renewable energy infrastructure across the state. Sukladas said the renewable energy sector attracted strong investor interest during the recent Destination Tripura: Business Conclave, with the power sector receiving investment proposals worth nearly ₹17,000 crore, a significant share of which is linked to solar energy projects.

 

The government said it is now focused on converting these investment commitments into on-ground projects as it accelerates its transition towards cleaner and more sustainable sources of energy.